The four Muslim finalists dropped from the Miss Malaysia World 2013 pageant skipped the final last night despite being asked by the organiser's to be part of the audience.
One of them was allegedly cautioned by the religious authorities not to attend the event even as an audience, which may have resulted in their non-appearance.
"They were invited to come but they didn't appear. Maybe they were stressed, disappointed or afraid that the Islamic affairs department might catch them," said Anna Lim, the pageant's licensee and organiser.
According to her, one of the Muslim finalists, Sara Amelia Muhamad Bernard (left), spoke of the warning in a phone conversation three days ago.
"She wanted to come. But she told me she was called for counselling and warned not to attend the final. If she did, they would come and catch her," said Lim, adding that the four did not wish to create any problems.
However, she could not confirm if the warning was from the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
She was unsure if the other three Muslim women - Katrina Ridzuan, Wafa Johanna De Kort and Miera Sheikh - had received similar warnings.
The final last night saw Melinder Kaur Bhullar crowned as Miss Malaysia 2013 while L'oreal Mok Shiek Leng and Tanisha Kaur Demour were elected as the first and second runner up.
Protest outside hotel
Speaking to the press after the event, Lim said she was happy that it was all finally over.
"Even yesterday (Thursday), there was a protest of 20 people outside the hotel. Two ladies wearing tudung came to me and gave me a piece of paper. I didn't know what it was.
One of them was allegedly cautioned by the religious authorities not to attend the event even as an audience, which may have resulted in their non-appearance.
"They were invited to come but they didn't appear. Maybe they were stressed, disappointed or afraid that the Islamic affairs department might catch them," said Anna Lim, the pageant's licensee and organiser.
According to her, one of the Muslim finalists, Sara Amelia Muhamad Bernard (left), spoke of the warning in a phone conversation three days ago."She wanted to come. But she told me she was called for counselling and warned not to attend the final. If she did, they would come and catch her," said Lim, adding that the four did not wish to create any problems.
However, she could not confirm if the warning was from the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department (Jawi) or the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
She was unsure if the other three Muslim women - Katrina Ridzuan, Wafa Johanna De Kort and Miera Sheikh - had received similar warnings.
The final last night saw Melinder Kaur Bhullar crowned as Miss Malaysia 2013 while L'oreal Mok Shiek Leng and Tanisha Kaur Demour were elected as the first and second runner up.
Protest outside hotel
Speaking to the press after the event, Lim said she was happy that it was all finally over.
"Even yesterday (Thursday), there was a protest of 20 people outside the hotel. Two ladies wearing tudung came to me and gave me a piece of paper. I didn't know what it was.
"But it wasn't from any authority or anywhere. I said I'm not taking any paper from you because I'm not sure what it is.
"Then she said it was something about the Ramadan month. I said it has nothing to do with me because I am a non-Muslim," said Lim.
She claimed the lady's hand was shaking when giving the paper to her, which raised her suspicions of their intentions.
"But the security guard took me away. We had to escape from the back of the hotel to another place for rehearsals," she said.
The former Miss Malaysia Universe 1990 and Mrs Malaysia World 2004 added that she will be seeking another meeting with the Islamic authorities to understand why Muslims are barred from participating in a pageant.
While acknowledging the 1996 Islamic fatwa banning Muslims from entering such competitions, she said she wanted to know "the inside story".
"(Citizens) of (some) Muslim countries can join beauty pageants. I don't understand why (this is) not (the case) for Malaysia. I just want to understand."
However, she stressed that she will continue to respect the fatwa and no Muslim will be allowed to take part in the pageant until the fatwa is rescinded.
"Then she said it was something about the Ramadan month. I said it has nothing to do with me because I am a non-Muslim," said Lim.
She claimed the lady's hand was shaking when giving the paper to her, which raised her suspicions of their intentions.
"But the security guard took me away. We had to escape from the back of the hotel to another place for rehearsals," she said.
The former Miss Malaysia Universe 1990 and Mrs Malaysia World 2004 added that she will be seeking another meeting with the Islamic authorities to understand why Muslims are barred from participating in a pageant.
While acknowledging the 1996 Islamic fatwa banning Muslims from entering such competitions, she said she wanted to know "the inside story".
"(Citizens) of (some) Muslim countries can join beauty pageants. I don't understand why (this is) not (the case) for Malaysia. I just want to understand."
However, she stressed that she will continue to respect the fatwa and no Muslim will be allowed to take part in the pageant until the fatwa is rescinded.
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